Dem chair Burton on secret to turning out youth vote: Pot

California Democratic Party chair John Burton has never been one to mince words — and last night he gave up his view about what will turn out the all-important youth vote in the 2010 election year: pot.

It’s true, the Tax Cannabis 2010 crowd is here in force at the Democratic Party convention in Los Angeles this weekend with flyers promising “union jobs!” in agriculture, security, and more if the current ballot measure to tax and regulate pot is approved by the California voters in November.

But last night Burton, in a conversation with us, suggested there could be another benefit — it could help get out those young voter for the crucial 2010 general election.

The chairman made the comments after being asked how Democrats can attract the Obama nation voters back to the polls to vote to help its top candidates in 2010. His take: “Pot.”

He said he doesn’t know what the party position will be on the initiative, but he doesn’t see much of a problem with the idea of of legalizing and taxing the weed to benefit cities and counties — and it could fire up a much-needed constituancy for gubernatorial candidate Jerry Brown, U.S. Senate candidate Barbara Boxer and the Dem ticket. “That will turn out people,” he said of the ballot measure.

So here’s the scene at the JW Marriott in Los Angeles Friday night as Chronicle comrade Joe Garofoli smokes out Burton on the question — while the Chronicle’s Shaky Hands Productions brings you the word on the topic from the man himself. (And we didn’t even have to bleep anything.)